Definition of persistent
1 : existing for a long or longer than usual time or continuously: such asa : retained beyond the usual period a persistent leafb : continuing without change in function or structure persistent gillsc : effective in the open for an appreciable time usually through slow volatilizing mustard gas is persistentd : degraded only slowly by the environment persistent pesticidese : remaining infective for a relatively long time in a vector after an initial period of incubation persistent viruses
2a : continuing or inclined to persist in a courseb : continuing to exist despite interference or treatment a persistent cough has been in a persistent vegetative state for two years
persistently
adverbPeople Are Reading
Examples of persistent in a Sentence
Contrary to persistent myth, Hoover was an activist. —Steve Forbes, Forbes, 30 June 2008
The high-water mark of such truckling might be the publication of the Cato Institute report “America's Record Trade Deficit: A Symbol of Strength.” Freedom had become slavery; persistent deficits had become economic power. —Eric Janszen, Harper's, February 2008
The silence started from your end just about the time you said good-bye to dear St. Elizabeth and it has been constant and persistent ever since. —Archibald Macleish, letter, 11 July 1959
We were nagged by a persistent salesman.
He is one of the government's most persistent critics.
She has been persistent in pursuing the job.
He has been fighting a persistent cold.
Flooding has been a persistent problem in the area this year.
Persistent rumors that the business is for sale have alarmed the staff.
Recent Examples of persistent from the Web
-
But productivity fell 0.6 percent in the first three months of 2017, coming after persistent weakness in previous years.
-
Education Lab is a Seattle Times project that spotlights promising approaches to persistent challenges in public education.
-
The family had an apartment in Chicago's Parkway Gardens neighborhood when Lewis decided to move to far north suburban Lake Villa to shield her kids from the city's persistent violence.
-
Luca experienced a traumatic brain injury at birth with an initial prognosis of persistent vegetative state.
-
Price pressures’ ebbing proves more persistent than Fed hoped Even some inflation hawks in market are taking notice The worst of the price war in the U.S. mobile-phone market may be over.
-
In 2013, while running for re-election, Mr. Hynes faced persistent pressure from Mr. Thompson, who attacked him for ignoring wrongful convictions — in particular, Mr. Scarcella’s role in the case of David Ranta.
-
The last confirmed eruption from Guallatiri was in 1960, although a persistent plume from fumaroles near the summit persist.
-
But the appellate court judge wrote in his ruling that the persistent, nonstop surveillance afforded by a GPS tracker was much different from physically tracking a suspect on a single trip.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'persistent'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of persistent
Latin persistent-, persistens, present participle of persistere —see persist
First Known Use: 1826
PERSISTENT Defined for English Language Learners
persistent
playDefinition of persistent for English Language Learners
-
: continuing to do something or to try to do something even though it is difficult or other people want you to stop
-
: continuing beyond the usual, expected, or normal time : not stopping or going away
PERSISTENT Defined for Kids
persistent
playDefinition of persistent for Students
: continuing to act or exist longer than usual a persistent cold
persistently
adverbMedical Dictionary
persistent
playMedical Definition of persistent
1: existing or continuing for a long time: asa: effective in the open for an appreciable time usually through slow volatilizing mustard gas is persistentb: degraded only slowly by the environment persistent pesticidesc: remaining infective for a relatively long time in a vector after an initial period of incubation persistent viruses
2: continuing to exist despite interference or treatment a persistent cough has been in a persistent vegetative state for two years
Learn More about persistent
-
See words that rhyme with persistent Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for persistent Spanish Central: Translation of persistent Nglish: Translation of persistent for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of persistent for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up persistent? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!